Looking Back at Little Buddy Doyle

Being this close to the Blues Capital it is not hard to believe that right here in St. Francis County we have had our share of many influential blues artist who were part of the beginnings and strong blues foundation we enjoy today.

One such artist that you may not have heard about is Little Buddy Doyle, who was small in stature, being a midget, but made up in talent for what he didn't have in size.

He was born Charlie Doyle, right here in Forrest City, on March 20, 1911. During the 1960s, he was a regular on Beale Street in Memphis.

Not a lot is known about Doyle, but some insight is given in an autobiography of David "Honey Boy" Edwards, who performed with him. They met in 1935 at Handy Park. Edwards remembered Doyle clearly and described him as a charismatic figure. Doyle was a red-eyed alcoholic who was drunk all the time and had two or three gold teeth. His legs were so short that when he sat on the bench to play the guitar he couldn't pat his feet.

According to Edwards, Doyle had to just bump against the seat because his feet would be so far off the ground. He'd get to playing the blues and just bump, bump, bump.

Doyle was married to Hedda, who was six feet tall. She was a good guitar player in the key of G. She sometimes played with Doyle. Not much is known about Doyle, but you can find some of his recordings online for your enjoyment.

Some of his tracks are: “Bad in Mind Blues,” “Grief Will Kill You,” “Hard Scuffin Blues,” “Lost Baby Blues,” “Renewed Love Blues,” “She's Got Good Dry Goods,” “Slick Caper Blues,” “Sweet Man Blues” and “Three Sixty Nine Blues.”

Doyle grew up in Madison and Forrest City and is one of the many unknowns who helped shape the blues music of today.